1 Peter 2:11 - Abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.

1 Peter 2:11

Commentary

Peter called his readers to a righteous life in a hostile world. Christians are foreigners in a secular society because their citizenship is in heaven. In order to have an impact on the world for God, Christians must be disciplined in an inward and private way by avoiding the desires of the fallen nature (cf. Gal. 5:19-21, where "fleshly lusts" include much more than sexual temptations). Fleshly lusts are personified as if they were an army of rebels or guerrillas who incessantly search out and try to destroy the Christian's joy, peace and usefulness.

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (1 Pe 2:11). Nashville: Word Pub.

abstain - The word translated abstain literally (in this verse) means "to hold away from one's person." In other words, we must distance ourselves from our own self-indulgent urges.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (1 Pe 2:11). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Proverbs 21:20 - A foolish man devours all he has

In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.

There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.

Proverbs 21:20

Commentary The contrast here is between the cottage of the wise man where there is a plentiful supply of all good things, and the home of a foolish man where sin, waste, and extravagance lead to scarcity. MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Pr 21:20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Weekly Memory Verse

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 51:1-2 (NIV)